Senate Dems To Choose Leaders

State Senate Democrats will meet in Raleigh today to do something they haven’t done in more than a century – choose a minority leader.

Current President Pro Tem Marc Basnight has led the Senate for 18 years -- the longest-serving legislative leader in state history. But last month’s elections put an end to his tenure. When the Senate convenes in January, Democrats will be in the minority for the first time since Reconstruction.

Basnight is not running for Minority Leader. The top two candidates are Asheville Senator Martin Nesbitt and Winston-Salem Senator Linda Garrou. Nesbitt was Majority Leader. He’s in his third Senate term after serving more than 20 years in the state House. Garrou has served six terms. She’s the Senate’s lead budget-writer and a Basnight ally.

House Democrats will meet to choose their minority leadership next week.